Ilkeston - When The Lights Went On
Again
w/e 26 November 2023
All of this week's
pictures were taken with a Galaxy S20 Mobile Phone.
The middle of October each
year sees the town centre full of sideshows, stalls and rides
as the annual Charter Fair arrives for four days of fun and towards
the end of November, as regular as clockwork, amusements return
to the Market Place when the Christmas lights are switched on.
The rides arrive on a Freiday afternoon and the festivities begin
about 5:30pm when darkness falls.
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Stall holders selling toys and flashing lights, a giant inflatable
slide and food stalls all contribute to keeping the crowds happy
as they await the designated time of 7:00pm when the switch is
thrown.
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And the crowds certainly do turn out to support the event, so
much so that it was shoulder to shoulder near the Town Hall and
I couldn't get anywhere near.
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So standing towards the back of the crowd I captured these two
images seconds apart with the lights off and the lights on.
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Behind me with the clock showing a fraction after 7:00pm the
Nativity scene on St Mary's Church tower was also illuminated.
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Walking to the Lower Market Place I was surprised to see that
the Bath Street lights were not on but even as I voiced my surprise,
someone flicked the switch and they all came on.
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Returning to the Market Place the crowds were still there but
were moving about more so it was easier to approach the Town
Hall.
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And in front of the Town Hall, a singer was belting out Christmas
songs to entertain everyone whilst Mr and Mrs Claus posed for
photos with the children.
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The town centre roads were closed for the event which enabled
people to wander in the highway and view the lights in South
Street.
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A Christmas tree had been erected at the side of the War Memorial
in front of the library earlier in the week and lights were added
the following day and now, on Friday evening, they shone out
with the rest of the decorations. For many people, Christmas
starts here but actually it's not even Advent yet and Christmas
doesn't actually start until December 25th - but that won't stop
the celebrations.
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